Virginia CUs Consider 2002 "Year of Donations"

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Last year turned out to be a good one for charities and community groups here as they benefited from Virginia’s 234 credit unions’ donations totaling $1.3 million. The Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants personalized wishes for children and teens with life-threatening illnesses was the largest single recipient of credit union funds with record setting contributions of $199,000. The remaining $1.1 million was split among the American Cancer Society, Children’s Miracle Network, Toys for Tots, local United Way, the American Red Cross and others. Virginia’s credit unions were equally generous with their time as they clocked over 12,926 hours to various community and charitable causes. In addition over the past four years, credit unions here have reached more than 11,700 school children teaching classes on basic budgeting and money management.